Minas

Rhodes Island is one of the most renown and beloved destinations during spring or summer. Fine cuisine lovers from around the world have the chance to savour local dishes which combine tradition and modern trends in gastronomy. The Island’s recipes have been formed and altered through centuries of eastern and western conquests and invaders. Ottoman, Venetians, Franks and Italians have marked Rhodes cuisine. Multiple elements from a crossroad of cultures and neighbouring continents such as Asia, Africa and Europe, have influenced the Island’s cuisine which preserved the Mediterranean identity.

Basic Ingredients

Rhodes’ cuisine always had a rich variety in flavours. Basic ingredients used in the island’s recipes are wheat and olives thanks to the land’s fertile grounds which facilitate cultivation. Delicious meat, fresh fish andseafood based dishes, as well as a wide variety of desserts made with cereals, olive oil, nuts, fruits, honeyand herbs, compose the uniqueness of Rhodes’ cuisine.

The uses of the traditionally maintained natural ingredients create simple and nutritious meals. Commonly used in traditional recipes of the island is the bulgur wheat (couscous), various pasta like trachana, macaroni, hilopites (egg noodles made in linguine-sized strips, cut into small pieces) and

Welcome to Rhodes, the capital of the Dodecanese, an island which is ideal not only for those who want to relax but also for those looking for an action-packed holiday! With its bright green hills, rich green valleys and uninterrupted line of golden beaches, Rhodes is truly a blessed place. Add in the excellent facilities for tourism, the island’s special blend of cosmopolitan and traditional, and numerous cultural and archaeological sites and you’ve got the perfect holiday

Thanks to its strategic position, Rhodes has been important since ancient times. The ancient city of Rhodes, the construction of which began in 407 BC, was designed according to the city planning system devised by the greatest city planner of antiquity, Hippodamus of Miletus. Rhodes soon developed into one of the most important seafaring and trading centres in the Eastern Mediterranean. When it became a province of the Roman, and later the Byzantine Empire, it initially lost its ancient glory. But in 1309 the Knights of Saint John of Jerusalem conquered Rhodes. They built strong fortifications to protect the island, turning it into an important administrative centre and a thriving multinational medieval city. In 1523 Rhodes was conquered by the Ottoman Turks, and the Greeks had to settle outside the city walls. During the Ottoman occupation, new buildings were erected within the Old Town, mainly mosques and baths. In 1912 Rhodes and the rest of the Dodecanese, were seized by the Italians. The new rulers embellished the city with magnificent buildings, wide roads and squares. The Palace of the Grand Master was rebuilt and the Street of the Knights was reconstructed in order to regain its medieval purity. It was not until 1948 that Rhodes officially became part of Greece. In 1988 the Medieval City of Rhodes was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site

As you enter one of the largest medieval towns in Europe through the Gate of Freedom, it soon becomes obvious that the Old Town of Rhodes is a mosaic of different cultures and civilizations; rarely does a visitor have the chance to stroll within medieval walls and explore twenty-four centuries of history. The fascinating medieval fortress-like buildings, the bastions, walls, gates, narrow alleys, minarets, old houses, fountains, tranquil and busy squares make it feel like you have stepped back into medieval times. The Palace of the Grand Master is certainly the highlight of the Old Town. The Palace, originally a Byzantine fortress built at the end of the 7th century A.D., was converted in the early 14th century by the Knights of the Order of Saint John into the residence of the Grand Master of the order and the administrative headquarters of their state; now it has been turned into a museum.

The cobblestoned Street of the Knights, one of the best preserved medieval streets in Europe, is packed with medieval inns that used to play host to the soldiers of the Order of the Knights. At the end of the Street, in the Museum Square, stands the Hospital of the Knights, which houses the Archaeological Museum. Across the square is the Church of Our Lady of the Castle, the Orthodox Cathedral of Rhodes in Byzantine times that became the Catholic Cathedral when the Knights occupied the city. Now it hosts the Byzantine Museum. Polidorou Street leads to a square with outdoor cafés and restaurants. Moving on, you enter Sokratous Street – always buzzing with life thanks to its cluster of cafés and shops – which

The "Medieval Rose" is a non-governmental, non-profit association, which was recently established (2005) with the ambitious but realistic aim of organizing an annual Medieval Festival within the walls of the Medieval Town of Rhodos – the best preserved, while continuously inhabited, surrounded by walls and moat, medieval town in the world (monument of cultural and architectural world heritage - UNESCO 1988).

The Festival comprises scenes of everyday life in the Medieval Rhodes, as well as relevant cultural events. This is achieved through the co-operation of the organizing committee with historians, archaeologists, actors, musicians, performers, visual artists and craftsmen. An additional effort is made to attract as many volunteers as possible, as the Festival is not just “a theatrical play”, but aims at the active participation of every person entering the gates of the medieval town.

A journey through the Middle Ages! A wandering through the mysterious streets of the Medieval Town and the obscure Citadels, at a time when the Alchemists were seeking the Mandrake and the Fairies were dancing around the fountains, enchanting passers-by.

At times, when romantic love was growing in the shadow of a dreadful war and endless battles.

And somewhere there, hidden in the swamp, a terrible Dragon, mangling children and adults.

At the Medieval Markets the best sugar of the world, as well as spices, perfumes, textiles, pottery, soap and music, lots of music...

...And there! The Order of the Knights crosses through the crowded public squares, full of scholars, magicians, artisans, merchants and craftsmen from all over the world!

The Walls, an embrace of stone around a multi-national feast!

Tradition, History & Myth, The Legend of Rhodes Ιn a Festival!

The 5th Medieval Rose Festival of the island of Rhodes 2011, will take place from 28 May to 2 of July (every Saturday and/or Sunday). Event will take place with the support and under the Aegis of the Municipality of Rhodes.

Agenda, in general, will include:

28 May - 20:00. Art exhibition: “Dodecanesian Artists portray the Middle Ages of Rhodes”. Opening at the French lodgement on Knights’ street, with live medieval music.

4 June - 18:00. Horseback riding knights show at the Moat, Story Telling and medieval games for children and grown ups.

11 June - 17:00. Team Play – “Chase of the Dragon” and Medieval Pageant will take place throughout the Medieval Town and Moat with the co-operation of the 1st Scout System of Ialysos.

28/5, 4/6, 11/6: Medieval happenings interspersed in the Old Town of Rhodes with music and spectacles to be announced from time to time

18 June - 21:00. Especially impressive will be the concert of medieval music at the SOUND & LIGHT garden, from the well-known ensemble, at the early music fans, “Hortus Musicus” with the collaboration of the Embassy of Estonia in Athens. Ticket price: 12€. Event page on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=103734136377673

The Festival will end with the unique Castle Fayres:

25 - 26 June - 18:30. Medieval banquet-tavern at the Castle of Kritinia with a series of medieval happenings and traditional food to be prepared during the event by the local cultural association "Kastellos". And yet: live medieval music, street theater, fire shows and magic, men on stilts and more ...

2 July- 18:30. Theatrical Play with a medieval theme at Monolithos Citadel and Traditional cooking by the "New Life" local cultural association